UFC 302, Issues to Watch: Enjoyable storylines, must-see fights and … curses? | Islam vs. Poirier

After a uncommon weekend off, the Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns for its sixth pay-per-view (PPV) present because the promotion heads to Prudential Heart in Newark, N.J. In UFC 302’s important occasion, Islam Makhachev defends his light-weight title towards Octagon legend Dustin Poirier, whereas former Middleweight roost-ruler, Sean Strickland, takes on Paulo Costa within the co-feature.

Whereas UFC 302 isn’t an excellent sturdy PPV (due to UFC 300), it does have some enjoyable fights up and down the cardboard, making the environment unbelievable. So, earlier than PPV motion kicks off on ESPN+ PPV, let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of UFC 302 …

‘Brick Metropolis’

UFC returns to Newark, N.J., for the tenth time this weekend. The promotion took a PPV to “Brick Metropolis” final 12 months with UFC 288, during which Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo through cut up determination.

First True Protection

Makhachev will technically be defending his Light-weight championship for the third time on Saturday, however it would lastly be towards somebody in his division. That’s as a result of his first two defenses got here towards former 145-pound kingpin and pound-for-pound chief, Alexander Volkanovski (a featherweight).

Whereas a title protection is a title protection, Makhachev will lastly should make a real 155-pound protection in “The Backyard State.”

‘The Eagle’ Has Landed

Khabib Nurmagomedov will likely be in Makhachev’s nook for UFC 302. The retired former Light-weight champion missed Makhachev’s final title protection towards the aforementioned Volkanovski at UFC 294, however he’s again to assist Makhachev diffuse “The Diamond.”

Final Likelihood?

Poirier will battle for the Light-weight championship for the third time at UFC 302, and it’ll possible be his final probability to compete for the title. He’s winless (0-2) in undisputed light-weight title fights (he was submitted in each). Nonetheless, a light-weight title victory over Makhachev would cement “The Diamond” as among the finest UFC fighters of all-time.

Retirement?

Poirier has teased that he might have retired after any of his previous couple of fights, however earlier than his important occasion this Saturday, he has really leaned into the retirement discuss, particularly as a result of he has nothing else to show apart from profitable the title.

And UFC commentator, Daniel Cormier, doesn’t prefer it one bit.

“I hate it for the concept it might be nearly over, and he acknowledges that,” Cormier mentioned. “I don’t like when athletes as a result of I did it myself, I’m nearly judging myself.”

Over 35 Curse?

UFC champions who weigh 170 kilos or much less and are older than age 35 have amassed a 2-22 file in 31 years. The one UFC champion to beat the “35 curse” was Tyron Woodley … and he did it twice.

Can Poirier be the one to interrupt the curse?

Costa Curse!

There are literally two blended martial arts (MMA) curses on UFC 302. Prepared? Each UFC champion who has shared a card with Costa has misplaced their title.

Exercise

Costa has been on the sidelines loads for the previous six years, averaging about one battle per 12 months. Nonetheless, pinch me as a result of Costa is definitely now lively! The Brazilian is preventing twice this 12 months for the primary time since 2017, the place he fought 3 times, going undefeated (3-0) with three finishes.

Bounce Again

Strickland will likely be competing in his first battle this weekend since shedding his middleweight championship to Dricus Du Plessis earlier this 12 months, hoping to work his manner again to the 185-pound crown.

No. 1 Contender?

Strickland vs. Costa might be a high-stakes showdown. UFC CEO Dana White introduced that Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whitaker, which can happen in Saudi Arabia on June 22, 2024, is a No. 1 contender battle; nonetheless, with a dominant win, Strickland might leapfrog that winner.

In the meantime, Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya is predicted to happen at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, and Strickland clearly has a historical past with each. Strickland beat Adesanya for the title after which misplaced it to Du Plessis in a really, very shut cut up determination.

5 Rounds, Child

UFC 302’s significant co-main occasion is scheduled for 5, five-minute rounds.

Middleweight ‘Massive Mouth’

After eight fights at Welterweight, Kevin Holland — who’s driving a two-fight shedding streak — is shifting again to Middleweight, the place he had way more success. Fortunately, this isn’t a everlasting transfer — it was a short-notice alternative to battle. He faces Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk on the PPV important card.

Rematch!

Nike Worth and Alex Morono run it again this weekend at UFC 302. The pair of welterweights fought manner again in 2017 at UFC Combat Night time 104: “Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie,” the place Worth knocked out Morono within the second spherical; nonetheless, the consequence was later overturned as a result of Worth failed a post-fight drug take a look at (marijuana).

Since their first battle, each athletes have had up-and-down careers. Worth is coming off two consecutive losses, whereas Morono is coming off a win over Courtroom McGee.

Previous Opponent

Former middleweight champion Strickland has solely been completed twice in his 34-fight profession: Alex Pereira and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. The latter kicks off the PPV important card towards surging Welterweight Randy Brown. Dos Santos is coming off a draw towards Rinat Fakhretdinov, however is driving a two-fight win streak.

Welcome To UFC!

Just one fighter is making their UFC debut this weekend.

Mitch Raposo (9-1) takes on Andre Lima (the fighter who received bit). Raposo is a Contender Sequence and The Final Fighter (TUF) veteran, and after 4 wins on the regional scene, all through end, he will get his long-awaited UFC shot.

Raposo holds a 77 p.c end streak with 4 knockouts and three submissions.

Massive Step Up

Former Glory kickboxer and pre-UFC “Poatan” slayer, Cesar Almeida makes his second stroll to the Octagon this weekend after stopping Dylan Budka in his Octagon debut (watch highlights). Alemida goes from Budka to fringe Prime 15 Middleweight Roman Kopylov, who’s coming off a loss to Anthony Hernandez … which is a huge step up in competitors.

The battle needs to be an absolute banger, as each males are enjoyable strikers and don’t search for takedowns.

Heavyweight Grappling Showcase

UFC 302’s “Prelims” undercard options two Heavyweight grapplers as No. 7-ranked Jailton Almeida takes on No. 13 Alexander Romanov.

There may be all the time an opportunity {that a} battle between two grapplers will flip right into a putting contest, however hopefully, the 2 gigantic Heavyweights will exhibit their grappling.

Almeida is coming off his first UFC loss to Curtis Blaydes, whereas Romanov is coming off a win over Blagoy Ivanov.

Again To The ‘Prelims,’ Bud

Grant Dawson headlined a UFC occasion in his final outing, however after getting knocked out in 33 seconds by Bobby Inexperienced, he’s heading again to the “Prelims.”

Dawson tries to get again on observe towards Joe Solecki.

Welcome Again, Mickey

Mickey Gall returns to motion this weekend after a 25-month layoff. He was final in motion towards Mike Mallott, getting knocked out within the first spherical. After the battle, there have been experiences of him being launched from the promotion, however that was not the case. He simply requested a while off.

Gall is driving a two-fight shedding streak and is at the moment 6-5 in UFC. He faces Bassil Hafez.

Already 1-0

Gall and Hafez even have some historical past. Hafez beat Gall in a 2013 grappling event, making him 1-0 towards the C.M. Punk slayer.

Will he go 2-0?

BAD BLOOD

Let’s give UFC props for banking on some warmth by making Joselyn Edwards vs. Ailin Perez as a result of there may be some critical unhealthy blood main into this scrap.

Again in Nov. 2023 — earlier than UFC Vegas 82 — Perez and Edwards received right into a battle at UFC’s Efficiency Institute, which led to Edwards giving Perez a black eye after which Perez’s coach choking Edwards unconscious (learn all concerning the particulars).

UFC 302 Combat Chief

The fighter with essentially the most profession fights competing at UFC 302 is Poirier (38).

UFC 302 Combat Rookie

The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 302 is Almeida (5).

UFC 302 Knockout King

The fighter with essentially the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 302 is Poirier (16).

UFC 302 Submission Savant

The fighter with essentially the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 302 is Dawson (13).

Winners And Losers

9 fighters are coming off wins, and 14 are coming off losses. One is coming off a draw (dos Santos)

Multi-Divisions

Listed below are the divisions that will likely be on show this Saturday:

• One Heavyweight battle
• Three Middleweight fights
• 4 Welterweights
• Two Light-weight fights
• One Flyweight battle
• One girls’s Bantamweight battle

Beta Canine

In accordance with DraftKings, UFC 302’s “greatest” underdog is Poirier at +470.

For full UFC 302 outcomes protection click on right here.